Hey everyone:)!!!…. I hope you have been doing okay
I was supposed to share this update yesterday but unfortunately I didn’t have network. I’m finally able to come back now and I really wish I was bringing better news.
For anyone seeing their story for the first time, I want to quickly explain who these eight people are.
They are eight queer refugees who recently arrived in Gorom after leaving Kakuma, Kenya. They left because of repeated attacks, insecurity and discrimination and they came to South Sudan hoping to find somewhere safer.
After arriving, they were registered by UNHCR and placed at a reception centre while waiting for their legal documents and trying to figure out what comes next.
But unfortunately, they have not been safe there either.
I also want to explain how I came to know these eight people. I connected with them through the queer refugee community after they arrived in Gorom from Kakuma, Kenya. Once we started talking, they began sharing with me what they had been going through and the difficulties they were facing.
Since then, I’ve stayed in contact with them. They reach out to me when things happen, which is how I’ve been able to keep sharing their situation with you all. I’m not physically there with them but I’ve been trying to stay connected and help however I can from Juba.
A few days ago, I told you about an attack where men who identified themselves as police came to the reception, questioned them about their appearance and gender and the situation became violent. Two of them were injured and the group was forced to leave the reception temporarily.
Now they have been attacked again.
This time, they told me that a different group of people came at night and started throwing stones at them near where they stay.
Thankfully, nobody was physically injured this time. some other people nearby intervened and helped stop the situation.
But the attackers threatened to come back and seriously harm them.
So you can imagine why they are terrified.
And I’m especially worried about the trans woman who was seriously injured during the previous attack.
She is still having a lot of pain in her head and around her eye and she has been crying because of how much it hurts.
They’ve been trying to manage the pain themselves with warm water and massage but it hasn’t helped enough.
She needs proper medical attention.
I’m in Juba, so I can’t physically get to them. All I can do from here is keep checking on them, keep sharing what they’re going through and keep trying to find people who can help.
What we’re trying to raise
We’re trying to raise $2,890 more for these eight people.
The money is meant to help with:
- Safer shelter and basic building needs
- Food and clean water
- Mattresses, blankets and mosquito nets
- Medication and medical needs
- Clothing and other essentials
- Cooking gas and basic cooking supplies
- Basic equipment and workspace to help David restart his bakery work
The goal isn’t only to get them through one emergency.
We want to help them get somewhere safer and eventually have a way to start rebuilding their lives.
Someone has already donated $100, which brought the original $2,990 goal down to $2,890.
To whoever made that donation, thank you. It means a lot to know that someone saw their story and decided to help.
If you’re able to donate, the support link is in my profile.
If you know an LGBTQ+ organization or anyone who may be able to help ,please reach out to me.
And if you can’t donate, please boost or share this post. Someone in your network might be able to help in a way we haven’t been able to find yet.
I’ve been sharing their story for over 2 weeks now and I’m grateful to everyone who has been reading, commenting, bumping and sharing. I know many of you have been quietly following along.
I just don’t want these eight people to become another story that people see for a few days and then forget.
They are still there. They’re still afraid. And they still need us.
Small note for anyone new: the fundraiser page is still being updated, so some older information may appear for now. We’re working on getting it updated to reflect their current situation.
